Spring Preview Softball

Greater Spokane League

U-Hi is loaded with first-team returners: senior OF Rachael Johnson, senior P Alex Douglas, senior INF Brooklynn Tacke and sophomore INF Kirsten Anstrom. “Who has pitching?” asked Titans coach Jon Schuh. “Whoever does historically does well in our league. We have experience and depth in the circle and have a good mix of veterans and newcomers.” … Defending champion Central Valley returns first-team senior SS Shayla Vegas and expects good things from freshman P Kelsey Gumm. Last year’s GSL coach of the year, Joe Stanton, figures on the Bears’ solid defense to support the “new, untested battery.” … Shadle welcomes back senior 2B Sarah Tiffany, a first-teamer, and sophomore P Jaya Allen and junior C Leslie Jones, both second-teamers. “We are young but have a little more experience and should do OK,” coach Guy Perham said. … Junior Jadeyn Cronn, a first-team OF last year, played 3B in Mt. Spokane’s season opener. The Wildcats also return second-team OF Jolene House. “I like our athleticism,” coach Carl Adams said. “It serves us well defensively and should help us be on base more and put pressure on opposing defenses.” … Senior OF Erin Kautzman, a two-year first-teamer, leads Mead. “We return six starters from last year’s team and we see our defense as being very strong,” Panthers coach Joel Shawen said. … North Central returns senior 1B Jessica Huffman and senior OF Abby Nelson, both second-team picks. .. Lewis and Clark, which nudged Ferris out of a regional berth last year, returns senior Anna Budke and junior Sophie Harper, both second-team OFs. … Second-team senior Jackie Adams is penciled in at SS as sophomore Katie Schmick has moved behind the plate for Ferris. “… We are returning most of last year’s defense that helped lead us into two games of district,” coach Laurie Smith said. … Junior C Alexis Kortness, a second-teamer, leads Rogers. … Alison Stephens is the new head coach at G-Prep. … Last year’s district champs were CV in 4A and Shadle in 3A. No 4A teams advanced to state. Shadle placed third at State 3A, advancing to that game by edging U-Hi.

Great Northern League

Last year’s league and district champion, Colville, has dropped to 1A, as has the league’s other representative to state, Deer Park. That leaves last year’s runner-up, East Valley, as favorite. The Knights return senior first-teamers Katy Sinn (C), Brianna Lasso (INF) and Jackie Lucas (OF). … Other first-team returners are Adrianna Suiter, Cheney, senior OF; Anne Mari Petrino, Pullman, junior utility; and Jordan Tiffany, West Valley, junior INF.

Northeast A

Defending league, district and regional champ Lakeside is the clear favorite with a load of all-league returners: juniors McKensie Brittos (P/3B), Taylor Wuesthoff (SS) and Hailey Lesser (RF), and seniors Madison Lesser (1B/DP) and Madilyn Naccarato (DP/3B). Naccarato, the league’s offensive player of the year, is sidelined until mid- to late April with a knee injury. “We expect to challenge for the league and district title, with high expectations of making a deep run at the State 1A tournament,” coach Chuck Moffatt said. … The addition of Deer Park and Colville will make a tough league tougher. DP junior Kylie Sweeney and Riverside senior Keelin Hunt are strong veteran pitchers.

Inland Empire League 5A

CdA, second place at state last year, returns co-MVP Breana Burke, a junior P/OF, and all-leaguers Mariah Montee, a junior INF, and senior C Abby Howard. “Coming off our runner-up finish, we still look to be in the hunt for the league championship and a return to the state tournament,” said coach Larry Bieber, who has announced that his 21st season will be his last. … Jesse Lenz has replaced Laura Tolzmann-Fierro as Lake City’s coach. The Timberwolves, knocked out at state by CdA, return senior JaeCie Wilson, an all-league OF, and junior Michaela Flerchinger, who has moved to P. “Coeur d’Alene is the team to beat and we are excited for the opportunity to compete with them throughout league play,” Lenz said. … Brian Stranger takes over as coach at Post Falls after Jack Foster served 18 years.

Inland Empire League 4A

Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams takes over as Sandpoint’s coach and welcomes senior all-league returners Morgan Bluemer (INF) and Topi Elsfelder (OF). Senior P Lucinda Calvert is out with a knee injury, giving freshman Bri Baldree her shot. … Moscow made state last year.

Intermountain League

All-leaguer Katie Malloy returns for Timberlake, which advanced to state last season. “(We have a) good shot at repeating as league champs, but we need our youth to step up and perform,” Tigers coach Mike Menti said. … Priest River returns senior 3B Bri Novak and sophomore OF Morgan DeMent, both all-leaguers. “Overall, I will have six starting sophomores, but I expect three of them to be on the all-league team,” coach Ron Kruse said.

B leagues

The Northeast 2B adds Kettle Falls, which should push Colfax for the league title, plus Wilbur-Creston and Tekoa-Rosalia. Colfax returns all-leaguers Erica Eng (P), Kori Goodwin (2B), Andra Hamilton (CF) and Sarah Appel (C) from a team that made state last season. … Defending champ Northwest Christian returns all-leaguers Mackenzi Gray (SS), Lauren Taylor (CF) and Alexys Tibbetts (C/3B). “We have some veteran leadership that will allow us to compete for a postseason berth,” said new coach Renee Stewart. … Garfield- Palouse/Oakesdale, which made state as GP/Tekoa- Oakesdale last year, is the only area team in the six-team Southeast 2B. … Defending champ Almira/Coulee- Hartline is considered the team to beat in the Northeast 1B. Curlew, with all-league returners Kayleona Fanning, Lindsey Gibson and Haleigh Gibson, also made state last year. … Colton won its sixth consecutive State 1B title last year and is favored in the Southeast 1B.